The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-02
MAINE GENERAL HOSPITAL.
Annual Meeting Of the corporators,
Reports and Election Of Officers,

The annual meeting Of the corporators of
the Maine General Hospital was held yester-
day afternoon at the Office of the Portland
Savings Bank on Exchange street
DIRECTORS REPORT.
Hon. Nathan Webb, for the directors. read
the following report:
The closing year of the hospital has been
successful in the amount and results of the
work done, and financially.
Since the last annual report, the litigation
respecting the will of the Honorable Abner
Ceburn has terminated and the validity of
the will has been sustained. The hospital
has received the full amount of his liberal
bequest to 1t, and has been able, without
falling into arrears, to meet the extraordina-
ry expenditures incident to a renewal of the
plumbing, and other necessary repairs.
1t has also been enabled to respond to the
increased calls upon its service. But the
valuable contributions, in the past, from its
friends everywhere, desire to impress on
them all that, without the continuation Of
their assistance, IL will not be possible TO
meet the constantly increasing demands for
the benefits of the institution. 1t will be
seen by the superintendent's report that
very nearly one-half of the service of the
hospital this year has been to free patients
A result like this cannot fail to crafty every
citizen Of the State of which this is the Gene
raj Hospital
No one will be contented to find in coming
years any diminution in the succor extended
to his unfortunate fellow men, without
money and without price," rather, every one
raise still higher the proportion of fees to
paying patients. 1t will be proud day for
the State of Maine, IL it ever comes, when by
its benefcence, and that of its citizens, this
hospital can extend its aid freely to all.
The right to confine and restrict the income
0f Gifts m the main tQnQnCn Of free hp0c has
without doubt, been influential in securing
liberaity towards the hospital The direc-
tors .have scrupul0usly carried out the
wishes Of givers in all cases. But they would
service has been provided for by specific
gifts for that purpose. Much Of this service
the larger part-has been paid for from the
general funds. All the hospitals resources
are devoted to the support of patients and
the reduction of charges. Therefore, every
one will understand, that whatever bounty
he may bestow on the hospital. its income
will 90 to the aid of the patients, unless 1t Is
by him limited to some other special use.
The suggestion of the superintendent, re-
specting the early needs for increased capa-
city, is timely and deserves careful attention
| and sympathy. As is well known, the pro.
| jectors Of the hospital from the beginning
| had in view an establishment much larger
| than we at present have. Fully convinced
that when the utility Of the hospital began
| for greater number Of patients than at the
| beginning could be maintained, they planned
| the buildings so that additional accommoda-
| tions might be secured at the least cost, with
| out burdening the new undertaking with
needless expense, by constructing more than
present use required. Their wise forecast
makes 1t possible, when the means are al
hand, to construct economically an extension
which will involve no material modification
| of the management, and no addition to the
| expense of supporting patients.
| The disinterested, dilgent and skilful at
| tendance of the members of the medical and
| surgical staffs, to whose efforts the success OF
| the hospital is so largely due require no
| commendation from the directors but ought
| not to be without grateful acknowledgment
| Longer experience justifies the hopes of the
| value of the school for nurses.
For detailed account of the years work
| its cost and its results, reference is made 10
the reports of the superintendent and the
| matT0n.
The treasurer's account, presented here
with, gives an encouraging view Of the d
nances of the hospital.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
DR.. Charles o. Hunt, superintendent and
resident physician, reported as follows:
have the honor to submit herewith my
annual report for the year ending September
80, 1887.